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| Credit ECDC |
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On Saturday, in CDC Update: Candida Auris - April 2018, we looked at the CDC's latest monthly update on this difficult to diagnose, hard to treat (anti-fungal resistant), and often deadly fungal infection.
In some slightly more encouraging news, last night CIDRAP News reported the FDA approves rapid diagnostic test for Candida auris. While still a laboratory test (not point of care), this should improve accuracy and turn-around times for lab results.As previously mentioned, this isn't just a United States' problem, but a global health threat. This fungal infection, which was first detected in Japan in 2009, has now turned up on multiple continents, and in 2016 we looked at its impact in the UK (see PHE On The Emergence Of Candida auris In The UK).
Yesterday the ECDC published a Rapid Risk Assessment (RRA) on C. auris in Europe, where at least 620 cases of infection or colonization have now been identified in 7 EU nations.
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| Credit ECDC |
Due to its length, I'll only provide a link to the document and their summary. Follow the link to read the full RRA.
Candida auris in healthcare settings – Europe
First update, 23 April 2018
Main conclusions and options for response
Candida auris poses a risk for patients in healthcare facilities across Europe due to its propensity to cause outbreaks and its antifungal resistance. Difficulties with laboratory identification and lack of awareness of this Candida species may delay early detection increasing the potential for horizontal transmission. C. auris was first identified in 2009 and within a few years has emerged as a cause of healthcare-associated infections.
Outbreaks have been reported in countries in five continents. The number of reported C. auris cases in European countries has increased significantly since the last ECDC rapid risk assessment on C. auris in December 2016. There continues to be a need to raise awareness of C. auris in European healthcare facilities, so that they may adapt their laboratory testing strategies and implement enhanced infection prevention and control measures where necessary.(Continue . . . .)
